Muscat & Muscat

In the matter of *Muscat & Muscat*, Mr Muscat, the applicant, sought to increase his unsupervised time with the children, an application opposed by Ms Muscat, the respondent. The parties had agreed to sell the former matrimonial home and had estimated significant expenditure towards their Family Court proceedings. Rees J presided over the proceedings.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim parenting and property arrangements for the parties, with a particular focus on the husband's application for increased unsupervised time with the children. The court also needed to address the substantial costs incurred and anticipated in the litigation.

Rees J ordered the parties, along with their legal representatives, to attend a confidential Family Dispute Resolution Conference. This conference was scheduled to take place on 10 June 2021, with a Registrar (acting as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner) and a Family Counsellor. Prior to this, on 2 June 2021, a preliminary session, Part 1 of the conference, was to be conducted by telephone, with specific times allocated for the applicant and respondent. The Independent Children's Lawyer's attendance was excused from these sessions. The parties were directed to complete and exchange Parenting Questionnaires by 26 May 2021.

Furthermore, the court mandated that each party's legal representative provide a written notice detailing actual and estimated future costs, including expert witness expenses, by 3 June 2021. The Registrar was empowered to vacate the main conference if either party failed to attend Part 1. The matter was adjourned for further directions before a Registrar, not before 10 July 2021.